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Chirality Evolution from Sub-1 Nanometer Nanowires to the Macroscopic Helical Structure.
Simin Zhang1, Wenxiong Shi2, Shujian Rong1
1Lab of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 7, 2020
Summary
Researchers achieved efficient, ligand-free helical assemblies of sub-nanometer nanowires. This study demonstrates chirality transfer from inorganic nanowires to achiral molecules, clarifying evolution in hierarchical structures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Chirality evolution in inorganic hierarchical structures from molecular to macroscopic levels is poorly understood.
- Developing chiral inorganic materials without chiral ligands or dopants presents a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of macroscopic helical assemblies from sub-nanometer nanowires.
- To explore chirality transfer from inorganic assemblies to achiral molecules.
- To elucidate the role of nanowire chirality in self-assembly.
Main Methods:
- Evaporation-induced self-assembly of sub-nanometer nanowires.
- Observation of circularly polarized luminescence.
- Molecular dynamics simulations.
Main Results:
- Macroscopic helical assemblies of sub-nanometer nanowires were prepared with 100% efficiency, without chiral ligands or dopants.
- Circularly polarized luminescence was observed from assemblies containing achiral organic fluorescent dyes.
- Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the crucial role of nanowire chirality in forming helical structures.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a facile method for creating chiral inorganic helical assemblies.
- Established a mechanism for chirality transfer from inorganic nanowires to achiral molecules.
- Provided insights into the fundamental principles of chirality evolution in nanomaterials.
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